Rea Silvia Emmanouil: Sculpting the Psyche in Steel

Exploring femininity, nature, and emotional release through fluid, organic forms in rigid materials.

Artist Statement

I explore the intricate relationship between nature and femininity, focusing on the ways these forces intertwine. My sculptures are characterized by fluid forms that echo the shapes, and rhythms of the natural world. The juxtaposition between the rigid materials I use and the organic forms they become highlights the tension between structure and movement, change and stability. Steel is at the core of my practice. I am drawn to its permanence, its weight, its resistance and aim to transform it into something fluid. I am fascinated by this contradiction, how something so solid can embody something fleeting.

The concept of the natural woman, a person that follows nature and is connected to their physical body, is a key influence in my work. I research on what it means to exist in connection with the psyche and the natural world. I often find myself mirroring the curves of the female form, capturing both its softness and complexity. The forms I create are not direct representations but echoes of the body.

Much of my recent work has followed a process of emotional release. I created a series of sculptures that move through stages—tight, contained forms that embody grief and restriction, rusted and weathered structures that show the passage of time, and finally, large, open, flowing shapes that hold the energy of letting go. These pieces are deeply personal, but they are also universal. My sculptures do not dictate a single meaning; they invite viewers to bring their own emotions, their own subconscious interpretations.

How has your upbringing or cultural background influenced your work?

I grew up in Greece, where I was constantly surrounded by the natural world— rugged coastlines, clear waters, and rich forested mountains. That environment shaped the way I feel and express emotion. Being so close to the sea, I developed a deep sensitivity to movement and fluidity. My sculptures often mirror that—some resembling waves, others simply echoing the quiet motion I observed growing up. Emotion, to me, has always felt like something both powerful and delicate, and I think that balance has stayed with me and found its way into the physical forms I create.

What themes or ideas do you explore in your work?

My work often explores transformation, resilience, and the tension between strength and vulnerability. I'm drawn to the idea of fluidity—both emotional and physical—and how change rarely happens in a straight line. Themes of femininity, renewal, and emotional evolution surface often, and I use materials like metal and fiber to express that complex interplay. I want my sculptures to capture moments of stillness inside motion, like a breath held just before release.

Are there any artists past or present who have had a significant impact on your work?

Artists like Roxy Paine and Richard Hunt have deeply influenced the way I think about form and the possibilities of metal. I admire how they use structure to evoke organic movement—there’s a sense of life in their work, even when it’s forged from industrial materials. That approach has shaped the way I create: letting metal move like water, or a gesture, while still maintaining its inherent weight and solidity.

How do you handle creative blocks or periods of self-doubt?

Creative blocks are inevitable—they come with the territory of being an artist. When I feel stuck or uncertain, I take a few days off try to go by the water. It helps clear my head and go back to its movement. Other times, I just let myself explore in the studio without pressure—no rigid plans, just allowing the materials to guide me. Eventually, something starts to take shape, and I follow that lead.

What are your long-term goals as an artist?

My goal is to create large-scale sculptures that exist in public spaces around the world. I want my work to make people stop—whether it’s to reflect, feel something, or simply react in the moment. I’m especially interested in working at a larger scale and seeing how far I can push the boundaries of form, material, and emotional impact. There’s something powerful about creating something that lives outside of a contained space and becomes part of the environment—it adds a new layer of connection between the viewer and the work.

How has the digital age and social media impacted your practice and reach as an artist?

The digital age has completely changed how artists work—it’s not just about making the work anymore, but also about how it’s shared and seen. It has allowed me to share not only finished pieces but the process behind them. Social media has pushed me to think about how I can connect with a wider audience and communicate the ideas behind my practice more clearly. I think it also has become a powerful tool for educating people about the many forms of art and the diversity of artists working today.

What do you hope people feel or take away when they view your art?

I want my work to evoke a reaction. Does it overwhelm them? Does it draw them in? Do they see their own story reflected in it? I work from a subconscious place, and often it’s only when the sculpture is finished that I understand what I’ve been trying to express or what emotions I’ve been working through. Art has this way of surfacing emotions we didn’t know we were holding and I want the viewer to have a similar experience. Whether they see strength, softness, movement, or stillness, I want them to connect with a part of themselves in the piece.

Artist Bio

Rea Silvia Emmanouil is a Greek interdisciplinary artist based in Chicago. She graduated with distinction from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she was an honors student and merit scholarship recipient. Working primarily with metal, fiber, and casting techniques, she creates large-scale sculptures that blend strength and fluidity. Drawing on her background in painting and digital media, she infuses her forms with depth and complexity.

Rea Silvia is currently expanding her sculptural practice, with a growing focus on public art and large-scale installations that engage with space and the natural environment. Her work explores materiality, movement, and the interplay between the organic and the industrial, pushing the boundaries of contemporary sculpture.